# Kia Sorento traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 34 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (9) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 34 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Kia Sorento (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (9). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. ## Kia Sorento traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 755 | 0% | | 2016 | 8 | 1262 | 1% | | 2017 | 9 | 808 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 255 | 0% | | 2019 | 7 | 435 | 2% | | 2020 | 1 | 140 | 1% | | 2022 | 4 | 194 | 2% | | 2023 | 1 | 126 | 1% | | 2025 | 2 | 78 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia Sorento recalls related to the traction control light **[21V331000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V331000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-05-10): An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes... **[20V519000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V519000)** (2015 models, reported 2020-08-27): If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Sorento owners report - "Summer of 2026 with 30,000 miles on it, all of the dash lights kept flashing at me, including the red brake light, and messages saying CHECK ESC, CHECK ABS, CHECK DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM/ Happened several times but the car would still drive. The morning of August 20, I was going to leave for work and it happened..." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2026 - "Vehicle Traction control then came on breaks went to the floor and steering wheel started to jerk while the car was still going 55 MPH" -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2022 - "I was driving when the ESC electronic stability control kept going on. Then all of a sudden the pedal and brake would start to shake and not work. Randomly driving when light would go on and then the pedal and brake would shake. I had to pull over. Light would go on and off. Roads were dry normal no issues." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2023 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the traction control light means A flashing traction control light is normal: it means the system is cutting power or braking a wheel to stop it from spinning on a slippery surface. A light that stays on means traction or stability control is turned off or has a fault, often a wheel speed sensor that also triggers the ABS light. The car drives normally, but it is easier to skid. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **System switched off** (common) 2. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (common) 3. **Engine fault disabling the system** (common) 4. **Steering angle sensor needs calibration** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Traction control light](/warning-lights/traction-control). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Sorento traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (21V331000, 20V519000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sorento years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Sorento model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 9 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sorento with the traction control light on? Drive to a shop this week. Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. Slow down in rain, snow or ice, and get it checked soon if the ABS or red brake light is also on. ### How do I check if my Kia Sorento has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Sorento warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sorento): 36 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sorento): 37 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sorento): 24 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sorento): 578 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sorento): 81 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/kia-sorento): 14 complaints ## Traction control light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ram-1500): 372 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-wrangler): 247 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-traverse): 133 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-grand-cherokee): 132 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-colorado): 128 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee): 92 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Kia Sorento - [Kia Sorento specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sorento) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sorento Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.